FARMERS have described the three days of rain as one of the best autumn breaks in a long time.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Southern NSW and the Riverina received a drenching of up to 70 millimetres.
And cropping specialists and livestock producers have been buoyed by the prospects good seasonal conditions.
The effects were instantaneous with cattle prices increasing across all categories at the Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre on Monday.
And for those waiting to sow it was enough rain to get on the paddocks and plant canola, wheat and barley.
Darryl Harper is a grain-focused mixed farmer and operates two properties in southern NSW.
At “Wyalong 3”, Barmedman 42mm fell and “Allambie”, at Ariah Park received 60mm.
Mr Harper, who is chairman of FarmLink, said the widespread rain was one of the best autumn breaks the region had experienced in a few years.
He said it was good to see rain and drizzle continue for three days.
“The rain arrived during the optimum window for sowing,” he said. And Mr Harper, who had started dry sowing before the rain, said the wet weather also benefited these crops.
“I see real value for dry sowing … over the years we have done a lot of dry sowing and it helps with timing and getting the rest of the winter crop in,” he said.
Mr Harper said he had sown 40 per cent of the crops before the rain, and then after the wet weather 10 days ago another 20 per cent was planted.
“Now we have 40 per cent of the sowing to go,” he said.
He was hoping to get back on the paddocks on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Harper said the rain was also beneficial for pasture and lucerne crops and on-farm water storage.
“It puts a spring in everyone’s step and means the potential is there,” he said.